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a substance or combination of substances which,because of its quantity, concentration, or <br /> physical, chemical or infectious characteristics,may either(1) cause, or significantly contribute <br /> to, an increase in mortality or an increase in serious irreversible, or incapacitating reversible, <br /> illness; or(2)pose a substantial present or potential hazard to human health or the environment <br /> when improperly treated, stored,transported or disposed of or otherwise managed. <br /> Chemical and physical properties of a substance that cause it to be considered hazardous include toxicity, <br /> ignitability, corrosivity, and reactivity. Toxicity,ignitability, corrosivity, and reactivity are defined in the CCR, <br /> Title 22, Sections 66261.20-66261.24 as follows: <br /> ► Toxic substances may cause short-term or long-lasting health effects,ranging from temporary effects to <br /> permanent disability, or death. Carcinogens (substances known to cause cancer) are a special class of toxic <br /> substances. (Examples of toxic substances include hydrogen sulfide,metal ions such as lead and copper, and <br /> trihalomethane compounds that are organic byproducts of water disinfection.) <br /> ► Ignitable substances are hazardous because of their ability to burn. (Gasoline and methane gas are examples <br /> of ignitable substances.) <br /> ► Corrosive materials can cause severe burns or damage materials. (Examples include chlorine gas, sulfur <br /> dioxide gas, strong acids, and strong bases.) <br /> ► Reactive materials may cause explosions or generate toxic gases. (Dynamite and pressurized gases are <br /> examples of reactive materials.) <br /> Toxic, ignitable, corrosive, and reactive materials are all subsets of hazardous materials. For example, all toxic <br /> materials are hazardous,but not all hazardous materials are toxic. Many hazardous materials have more than one <br /> hazardous property.A solvent, for example, might be both toxic and ignitable; an acid might be both corrosive <br /> and reactive. Some chemicals pose multiple hazards; chlorine gas, for example,is acutely toxic,corrosive, and <br /> reactive. <br /> A chemical that poses a significant hazard upon a single exposure is considered acutely hazardous if it is so <br /> designated by a regulatory agency(California Health and Safety Code Section 25531). Sulfur dioxide and <br /> chlorine are acutely hazardous materials at the WQCF. <br /> The criteria that render a material hazardous also make its waste hazardous(California Health and Safety Code <br /> Section 25117). A hazardous waste is any hazardous material that is to be recycled, discarded,or abandoned. <br /> Exposure to Hazardous Materials <br /> Worker safety and public health are potentially at risk whenever hazardous materials are used. It is necessary to <br /> differentiate between the"hazard"of these materials and the"risk"they pose to human health or the environment. <br /> A hazardous situation is one that has the potential to cause damage upon upset or exposure. The risk of an event is <br /> determined by a combination of(1)the probability of exposure to the hazardous material and(2)the severity of <br /> consequences should exposure occur. In other words,the likelihood of exposure to the hazardous material coupled <br /> with its inherent hazardous properties determines the degree of risk to health or the environment. To be of high <br /> risk, exposure to a hazardous material must be both likely and consequential. <br /> Means of Exposure <br /> Exposure of the public to hazardous materials or wastes could occur in several ways: <br /> ► improper handling or use of hazardous materials during the course of business; <br /> ► failure of storage containment systems; <br /> Manteca WQCF and Collection System Master Plans EIR EDAW <br /> City of Manteca 4.6-3 Hazards and Hazardous Materials <br />